Our Flowermeadow is a mixture of carefully selected annual and perennial flowers and herbs and a special low growing, not agressive grass (sheeps fescue).

Annual varieties have been added to give colour to the meadow already in year one, when the slower developing perennial are not established. In year 2 the perennials (flowers and herbs) will take over and will offer a different colour schedule while the annuals will only partly repeat themselves.

Depending on climate, soil and situation the flowermeadow will develop differently. Over the years some flowers and herbs will grow stronger while others will become less obvious or will disappear. The flowermeadow is changing its appearance over the years, depending on temperatures, annual rainfall etc. etc. - as in any other meadow.

Soil and soil preparation

Most flowers and herbs grow best in poor soils. - Bare soil should be cultivated (harrowed/rotivated) to ensure that the young roots can root easily. Where weeds or grass dominate the ground should be ploughed in autumn and soil cultivation should take place in spring before sowing the flowermeadow. Do not apply any fertiliser.

Weed control

It is important to remove potentially competing weeds (e.g. dock weed, nettles, etc.) before sowing. If weeds germinate later they should be removed soonest possible by hand.

Sowing

Sowing should be carried out either from April to June or from September to early October at a rate of 0,5kg/400m² (5kg/acre). DO NOT SOW HIGHER RATES OR THE STRONGER VARITIES WILL SMOTHER THE WEAKER VARITIES. Sow very shallow and bareley cover with soil. To achieve an even seed distribution mix the required seed amount with some dry sand, divide seed/sand mix into two parts. Scatter one part of the seed while walking over the area from North to South, scatter the second part of the mix while walking from East to West.

IMPORTANT: No fertiliser required. Keep the freshly sown area moist all the time until the seeds start to germinate ( 3-4 weeks). Do not soak with water.

Maintenance

In the first (sowing) year the meadow should be cut - ideally with a scythe or cutterbar mower - in September. In all following years the first cut should be in August/September - after the flowers have shed their seeds. The meadow should be cut at about 2in (5cm) high. The cut off grass should dry on the meadow to allow remaining seeds to fall on to the ground and then carefully removed from the meadow. A second cut should be considered in October/November to avoid the flowermeadow growing too high over winter.

During the flowering period the meadow should not be used because flowers will not recover when compacted by walking. During the rest of the year the use of the flower meadow should be limited.

Flower meadow contents

FLOWERS: Primrose, Cornflower, Clarkia, Mint, Viola, Candytuft, Baby blue eyes, Flax (red & blue), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Catchfly, Forget-me-not, Columbine, Yellow Coreopsis, Coneflower (yellow & purple), Larkspur, Mallow, Yellow Poppy, Corn Poppy, Wallflower (Siberian & English), Yarrow, Corn cockle, Pimpernel, Oxeye Daisy, Corn Marigold, Chicory, Dwarf Cosmos, Foxglove, Baby's Breath, Sunflower, Sweet Pea, Gay Feather, Birdsfoot.
GRASS: Sheeps Fescue.